Roulette is a gambling game where players place bets on the outcome of a spin of a rotatable wheel. The wheels have divisions that alternate between red and black and include a green number, which is a zero on American tables.
The game is played by placing chips on the table until the croupier announces “No more bets!” Then, losing bets are cleared off and winners get paid before play starts again.
Origin
The exact origin of roulette is unknown, though there are a few theories. One theory is that it was invented by a 17th century French mathematician named Blaise Pascal. Another is that it was created by the Chinese, who then passed the game on to Dominican monks as they traveled around the world. Despite these fanciful stories, the most likely origin of the game is that it was developed in the 1700’s and was popularized in gambling houses in Europe. The first modern roulette wheels had numbered slots that ranged from 1 to 36, and bets were placed on red or black.
Bets
The odds of roullete are relatively low and there are several types of wagers to choose from. The split bet is one of the riskiest, as a correct roulette prediction can increase your initial stake 17 times. The Street Bet is another risky play, with the payout at 11-1 if you make a correct roulette prediction. The Dozens bet and the Columns bet are slightly less risky, but still offer lower payouts. Outside bets, which are based on categories of numbers rather than individual ones, have much higher payouts but also offer lower odds of winning. These are usually better for new players.